There's a belonging problem in Hollywood. Who dictates who belongs? The very body who dictates that looks all one way.
You see women struggling to keep it all together while a loved one is in jail. But we don't hear about them or their struggles in a way that resonates with others. Their stories are so compelling. It's as if they are in their own little world and no one else sees them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the invisible struggles of women who support loved ones in jail, emphasizing their compelling yet overlooked stories.
Ava Duvernay's quote sheds light on the emotional and social challenges faced by women who are left to navigate life while their loved ones are incarcerated. These women's experiences are often marginalized, leading to a lack of awareness and understanding of their profound struggles. The quote calls for recognition and empathy towards these individuals, suggesting that their stories deserve to be heard and understood by a broader audience.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a community meeting discussing social justice, you might share this quote to emphasize the unseen struggles of families affected by incarceration.
More from Ava Duvernay
All quotes →I just don't think there's a lot of support for the woman's voice in cinema, and it becomes really difficult to raise that money and start again every time.
I didn't go to film school. I got my education on the set as a niche publicist in the film industry.
I think for female filmmakers a big issue is making their second and third films.
When we say there's a dearth of women directors, it's not that there's a lack of women who direct: it's a lack of opportunities and access for women to direct and be supported in that.
I intend to be making films until I'm an old lady. So, if God willing I get there, I need to create a paradigm for myself where I can make it regardless of whether or not they still like what I'm making.
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I don’t care about anyone, and the feeling is quite obviously mutual.
My mother taught me something at a young age - she said 'you are the company you keep.' To define yourself by some label or some level of resources - that's pretty shallow.